act21side

Someone blew the seats, and Cellinia is heading straight for the third floor.

You've got five seconds for your last words.

Last words?

Heh, what's there to say?

If you're really gonna do it, then tell Leontuzzo that I'm sorry.

Sure.

What—

Leon?!

You...

I'll handle this my way, Demetri.

Signor Leontuzzo. Here I thought we could get along.

You just lost your last chance for that.

Well, well, well. Turns out the heir to a great famiglia just oozes charisma after all.

You've made a fool of me, and still you tell me I had a chance to make things right.

What's done is done.

I'll make you a bet, Wallach.

You're a betting man?

Hahahaha! Signor Leon, mio amico, we're not in a dining hall or one of our offices.

We're in a war, and only one of us walking out of this alive.

Trust me, you'll love this one.

Ugh, these Rossatis are a pain in the ass.

Your Honor? We never heard you were joining us on this one.

And anyway, this ain't something you can just walk into.

I'm not here to stop you. I'm not interested.

I'm looking for someone.

Who?

We got one helluva mess here. Not gonna be easy to find anybody.

All I need from you is to stay out of my way.

But...

Even if I die here, that's none of Famiglia Bellone's business.

Suit yourself then.

There you are.

Hold it.

I work here.

Uh huh. We got rid of all the workers.

Grr, what is <i>he</i> doing here?

Look out, Dan—

Blood splatters, and a few drops splash across Lavinia's face.

Signorina Lavinia.

What are you doing here?

The 'path' opened by Lappland is doing its job. Only a short distance separates her from her old friend.

She lets out a soft sigh.

Chaos swirls all around her, but she knows what to do.

I knew you'd come, Cellinia.

What a look in your eyes there. It's like I'm the prey.

Let's see what the Last Texas can do!

Signor, Director... is this chaos... part of the show?

Chaos?

In my opinion, Segretario Rubio, everything is in perfect order.

What comes next will be even better.

...I see.

You lead one of the most prestigious troupes in Volsinii, and you've put on a play unlike any other.

We do have an intermission coming up, though. You may tell me what it is you want from me.

What I want... isn't very complicated.

With Carracci's death, the seat of Ministro dei Lavori Pubblici is now vacant.

You must be thinking about who the most suitable candidate is.

I take it you've decided you're that candidate?

I don't think there's anyone else better suited than me.

*cough* *cough*, *cough*, *cough*...

Wow... There's still mercy in you, at a time like this...

The Saluzzo Psycho isn't gonna finish me off?

I'm not interested in a pointless fight with some punk who was never taking it seriously to begin with.

...Hah.

What are you waiting for? What do you want?

I made a bet with someone. And I hope I lose.

Wallach looks in the direction Texas went. No one can stop her from assassinating Giovanna.

Except Giovanna herself.

There is nobody else in the empty room.

Texas immediately realizes what's happening, but it's too late. A knife is already up against her neck.

Since I came to Siracusa, I've been thinking of all the different ways someone might try to kill me.

But I never once thought it might be you.

And I never imagined you'd let your guard down, at a time like this.

Did you think that when I saw you'd, I'd give you a big hug and cry 'thank goodness, Cellinia, you're still alive?'

And then we'd sit down and share a drink and catch up on everything that's happened over the last few years?

I'm here to kill you.

Great.

With that word, Giovanna drops the knife in her hand.

She wears a radiant smile on her face, her expression full of longing, as if the murderous intent from a moment ago was but a light-hearted joke.

Long time no see, Cellinia.

Long time no see, Giovanna.

Sora, are you alright?

Yes, I'm fine.

Are you going after Texas?

When I saw her a minute ago, she told me to wait for her.

Let's hunker down until this mess blows over. It's total mayhem out there.

If you don't want to lose her, you're gonna wanna go after her.

Lappland...

I feel like it's the same with Lappland.

For people like her, there's no point trying to guess at what they're thinking. It's better to just accept what they say at face value.

Only if every word they say is true can you start to figure if they're ultimately trying to weave truths into a lie.

Why's that?

Well, do you know who it is waiting in that room?

Giovanna Rossati.

If there's anyone who could actually get Texas to come back to Siracusa...

It ain't me, or Bernardo. And it sure as hell isn't Signora Sicilia.

It's her, Giovanna.

Cellinia, you're a lot taller than you used to be.

Makes sense, doesn't it? It's been years.

By the way, I met some of your friends from Lungmen. Your name came up a few times, and from what they said, I can tell they're worried about you.

...I didn't think they'd come here.